The Federal Government has launched a transport scheme known as “Project CNG-SPROUT,” an initiative aimed at promoting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation in Nigerian universities.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, inaugurated the pilot phase of the project at the FEMADEC AutoGas Centre, Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
“This project remains a key national priority, as Nigeria navigates through economic adjustment and transition to cleaner fuels,” Ekpo said.
”The initiative aims to improve mobility and reduce transportation costs for students and lecturers by establishing CNG ecosystems, donating CNG-powered buses and tricycles, and providing subsidized conversion services for lecturers’ vehicles, ” he added.
Ekpo commended FEMADEC Energy for their vision and commitment to bringing the project to life, stating, “FEMADEC has shown that Nigerian companies have the capacity to be at the forefront of energy innovation.”
He also praised the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) for their partnership and support in actualizing Nigeria’s Decade of Gas vision [2].
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, lauded the project, saying it would enable staff and students to have their cars converted and refilled with CNG for affordable transportation.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Professor Patricia Lar, commended the Federal Government and project facilitators for the initiative, which includes providing five 18-seater buses and tricycles for the pilot scheme .
